Award

Supply of software plus associated hardware and maintenance services for a digital customer information system (CIS) at WMT's railway stations

WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

07 Oct 2025 at 14:26

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

West Midlands Trains Limited (WMT) is the contracting authority overseeing the public procurement process for the extension of a contract for their digital customer information system (CIS) at railway stations. This contract involves the supply of software, associated hardware, and maintenance services under the industry category of communication and multimedia software packages. The procurement stage is completed with the status marked as "complete" as of 7th October 2025. The procurement method employed was a limited procedure, awarding the contract directly to Blackbox Company (UK) Ltd without prior publication due to the absence of competition for technical reasons. The location for this project is the UK, specifically in the region identified as UKG3. The key date associated with this procurement is the extension of the services continuing until 30th September 2026.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses capable of providing highly specialised software solutions that align with the existing infrastructure. Companies that are proficient in communication and multimedia software, especially those with experience in railway systems and digital signage, could find opportunities for growth by demonstrating their capacity to maintain and enhance existing CIS technologies. Businesses that focus on seamless integration and continuity of services would be well-suited to compete in similar future procurements, as maintaining service consistency without disruption is a critical requirement in this contract. The direct award approach suggests that businesses which can establish strong relationships and provide unique solutions could have a competitive edge in these situations.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Supply of software plus associated hardware and maintenance services for a digital customer information system (CIS) at WMT's railway stations

Notice Description

WMT's digital customer information system (CIS) contract with Blackbox Company (UK) Ltd (WMT 2462) ran until the 30th of September 2025. Under the existing contract, work was split into Phase 1 software and Phase 2 software- which are codependent to run a compliant CIS system. Both stage 1&2 software have been amalgamated into one software licence to cover all DCIS devices at stations. A 12 month direct award for the extension of services till 30th September 2026 will enable continuous access to the customer information systems and avoid disruption,

Lot Information

Lot 1

Extension of the existing services. Blackbox Company (UK) Ltd provide the Digital Customer Information System. This enhances the passenger journey, supports the frontline staff and enables better response from control rooms.

Procurement Information

WMT intend to award a contract directly to the incumbent supplier for the continued provision of the Customer Information System for a period of 12 months. The decision is made under Regulation 50 of UCR 2016 on the grounds that competition is absent due to technical reasons. WMT are requesting continuation of the Blackbox software only. This software is only compatible with current screens that were fitted 2024, should WMT retender and another supplier successful it will cause major disruption to service as new screens will be required to support the software. The Blackbox system is a business critical application that underpins the delivery of real-time customer information across the network.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a9bc
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062949-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

48500000 - Communication and multimedia software package

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 Feb 20242 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
EC4A 3AG
Post Town
Central London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
TLG3 West Midlands
Local Authority
City of London
Electoral Ward
Castle Baynard
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BLACKBOX COMPANY (UK

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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